Chosen, Redeemed, and Sealed in Christ
“Like a royal seal on parchment, the Holy Spirit marks us as forever belonging to God.”
The opening of Ephesians is a triumphant declaration of God’s eternal plan, flowing out from His loving initiative, not our merit. Paul reminds the saints—those set apart in Christ—that all spiritual blessings come through our union with Him. From before creation, the Father chose us in love, destined us to adoption, and willed that we reflect the holiness of His Son. His goal wasn’t merely to forgive us but to form us into Christ’s likeness for the praise of His glorious grace.
In Christ, we have redemption—freedom from sin’s captivity—through His blood. This is no vague spiritual concept, but the concrete payment that secures our forgiveness and reveals the once-hidden mystery: God’s cosmic plan to unite all things under Christ. Our inheritance, then, is not random—it was prepared for us from the beginning, and we were included intentionally. We’ve been sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who now indwells us as a guarantee that we are fully His and that our eternal future is secure.
Paul's heartfelt prayer overflows with gratitude for the believers’ faith and love. But more than that, he longs for them—and us—to perceive the full riches of what God has done. That we would see with the eyes of our hearts the hope of His calling, the wealth of His inheritance in the saints, and the sheer magnitude of His power toward us—power that raised Christ, exalted Him above all, and made Him Head over all things for the benefit of His body, the Church.
Personalized Journal Entry in the Holy Spirit’s Voice Through Scripture:
You were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, not because of what you would do, but because of the love I set upon you. You stand before Me holy and blameless—not by your effort but by your union with My Son. I predestined you to be adopted, to belong fully and forever in My household. This is the praise of My glorious grace, poured out freely upon you in the Beloved.
In Him, you have redemption through His blood. You are no longer in bondage to sin’s debt. Forgiveness is yours—not a theory, but a reality purchased at the cross. I’ve lavished grace on you, opening to you the mystery of My will. I revealed what was once hidden: the unifying of all things in heaven and earth in Christ. You are part of this grand design.
You are My inheritance and My own treasured possession. And you have an inheritance as well—one I secured according to My purpose and will. I work all things in alignment with that will. In Christ, you heard the truth, believed, and were sealed with the Holy Spirit. That seal is not temporary—it is the mark of your full belonging and the guarantee of what is yet to come.
So, let your eyes be lifted. I have given you eyes to see—not as the world sees, but as heaven sees. I want you to know the hope of My calling on your life. You are Mine. I want you to see the riches of My glorious inheritance in you, and to walk with confidence in the immeasurable greatness of My power toward you. The very power that raised Jesus from the dead is now working in you.
I seated Him above all rule, all authority, all dominion, and every name that is named. And I placed all things under His feet. He is your Head, and you are His body. Nothing is outside His rule, and nothing is outside My care for you.
Scripture references: Ephesians 1:3–23; Romans 8:29; John 17:24; 1 Peter 1:20; Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:6–8; Isaiah 44:3; Ezekiel 36:26–27; Colossians 1:26–27; Psalm 110:1
Prayer of Trust in God's Provision:
Father, I rest tonight in the joy of Your sovereign love. I was chosen, adopted, and sealed—not because I reached for You, but because You reached for me in Christ. You placed me in Him, and now everything He has is mine. Redemption is not a hope—it’s a reality I live in. Forgiveness is not a goal—it’s my present position. Union is not distant—it’s my identity.
I will not live as if I lack what You've already given. Your Spirit dwells in me. Your power works through me. Your Son reigns over all, for my good and Your glory. Let me walk through tomorrow in this awareness—no grasping, no striving—just the settled calm of one who belongs to You. I am Yours. And You are enough.
Devotional Credit:
Insights adapted and expanded from the Grace and Truth Study Bible (Zondervan, 2022).
Photo Credit:
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